City pools, rec centers could close

Four city pools and three recreation centers could close as the city manager works to cover a $25 million budget deficit next year.

Among the proposed cuts: the Camp Washington, Filson in Mount Auburn, Spring Grove Village and Mount Adams pools; and the Over-the-Rhine and Hartwell recreation centers and Westwood Town Hall.

Total savings $1.7 million.

It will be no easy task to cover such a large deficit, which is partly due to the city's earnings tax falling short of projections and raises given to five unions.

Black is expected to release his recommended fiscal year 2018 budget May 17. It must be approved by June 30.

City Manager Harry Black released a 28-page list of proposed cuts Thursday morning.

The cuts are possible scenarios only, submitted by the departments themselves. Closing pools has been a tough task in the past, with council members reluctant to close the popular summer attractions.

And budget deficit projections are never as dire as they first seem. Still, the hole is so large, some cuts -- somewhere -- are inevitable.

"The budget reduction scenario exercise represents one step in a long process toward developing and submitting a structurally balanced recommended budget," Black said. From there, the mayor and council can make changes.

The current estimated expenses for 2018 are $414.1 million; the estimated revenues $389 million, leaving a $25.1 million gap.

Black has asked each department to cut 10 percent, with police and fire asked to make 3 percent cuts. The safety forces proposed postponing recruit classes.

The budget woes come in a year when six of the nine council members are running for re-election and Mayor John Cranley is facing a re-election challenge from Councilwoman Yvette Simpson and Rob Richardson Jr.

In 2013 Cranley ran on a platform that included getting the city's budget under control. When Cranley took office the budget was $352.3 million. This year it is $387.9 million.

Structurally balanced budgets have been a hallmark of Cranley's administration, meaning deficits have not been covered with one-time sources of money.

Other cuts, proposed by departments:

* The Office of Environment and Sustainability would cut curbside recycling in June 2018 and the brand new textile recycling program that was rolled out earlier this month. (Total cut: $239,000)

* The Citizen Complaint Authority, created as part of the city's Collaborative Agreement, said it cannot possibly cut 10 percent and still do the work. It would consider reducing the chief investigator's salary. "CCA's staff has been taxed considerably in its attempts to remain in compliance." It would also axe stipends for the board, which the Collaborative Agreement calls for. (Total cut: $29,000)

* Parks officials said they can't make the cuts, but would cover the 10 percent cut by taking it from the department's reserve fund. (Total cut: $1 million)